Tag holder and stringer and loop-knotter therefor.



W A. HAYWOOD. TAG HOLDER AND STRINGER AND LOOP KNOTTER THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.11, 1908.

Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. A. HAYWOOD. TAG HOLDER AND STRINGBR AND LOOP KNOTTER THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 11, 1908.

943,972. Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 71jc'676655e5 I jav'eiizforx W. A. HAYWOOD. TAG HOLDERAND STR INGER AND LOOP KNOTTER THEREFOR. APPLICATION FILED DEO.11, 1908.

948,972. Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

. QMQ. I fg a f.

v W. A. HAYWOOD. TAG HOLDER AND STRINGEB. AND LOOP KNOTTER THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.11, 1908.

Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

' through the usual aperture in the tag, may be .which is adapted toknot the loose end of UNITED s'rirrns M am Prion.

WILLIAM A. HAYWOOD,

OF DENVER, COLORADO.

TAG HOLDER AND STRINGER AND LOOP-KNOTTER THEREFOR.

Specification of To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, lViLmAu A. HAY- wool), a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, residing in the city and county of Denver and Stateof Colorado, have invented a new and useful Tag Holder and St ringer andLoop Knotter Theret'or, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tag holders and stringers andloopknotters therefor.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character,comprising a tag holder and stringer, and a knotter, by which the looseends of the string which is passed tied into a knot after a suitablelength of string has been cut oil, thus forming the string into a loopby means of which the tag may be secured to a trunk, parcel, or packagein the usual manner.

The invention further consists in a tag holder, comprising a tubular rodupon which the tags are strung, and through which one end of a ball oftwine passes, whereby, when a tag is removed from the end of the tubularrod, it passes on to the twine, the loose end of which is held by theoperator, means being provided for pressing the tags against a stopadjacent to the end of the tag holding rod. whereby they '-are spreadapart so as to be easily slipped from the end of the rod, one at a time.

The invention further consists in providing in connection with the tagholder, a knotter which is operated by a treadlc, and

the twine passing through the tag, after the twine has been cut to forma loop of suitable length, mechanism operating in connection with theknotter mechanism, being employed for delivering the loose ends of thetag loop to the. knotter, which is provided with a clamp, which acts ata predetermined time to hold the ends of the twine while the knot isformed.

These objects are accomplished. by the mechanism illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a plan view of the improved tag stringing machine, showinga tag having thetwine looped through the same and engaged by theknotter, the string also pass-' ing between the blades of a cutter, bywhich the twine is cut to form a loop of suitable lower end of theboard. The upper end 01'.

LettersPatent. Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

1, 1908. Serial No. 467,031.

2, is a front elevation of the machine. Fig. -3, is a vertical sectionalView thereof, on the line of Fig. 1, showing the knotter and mechanismconnectingit with an operating treadle. Fig. 4, is a bottom plan view ofthe knotter operating mechanism. Fig. 5, is an enlarged, sectional viewthrough the knotter, showing the arrangement of ball bearings forfacilitating the operation of the same. Fig. 6, is a side elevation ofthe mechanism for delivering the loose ends of the tag loop to the topof the knotter, in position to be clamped thereon. Fig. 7, is aperspective view of the platform which supports the mechanism whichdelivers the loose ends of the tag loop to the knotter. Figs o, 9, 1t),11, amt 12, are views of the knotte amt twine attached thereto, showingthe ditl'erent stages in the formation of the knot at the end of the tagloop. Fig. 13, is a perspective view of the pusher. Fig. 14, is aperspective view of the bracket for supporting the rear end of thepusher. And Fig. 15, is a side view of the tag-pushing blade.

I In the practical arrangement of my device, the same is mounted upon atable or platform 1, which is supported upon legs 2, which are connectedby a brace bar 3, a suit able distance above the floor. and by a rod s54, which connects the front legs adjacent to the floor. Upon the tableis mounted a com bined tag holder and stringer, comprising a board 5,which is suitably supported upon the left side of the table, and at aconvenient inclination as shown. At the upper end of this board issecured a post or standard (3, upon which is mounted one end of atubular rod 7, the other end of which extends to the the rod 7, issecured to a. ring or band $1 I which forms part of a similar ring or.band 9, which is adapted to be slipped upon the standard 6. The holeorpassage through the rod 7, communicates with the ring .8, 109 and oneend of a ball of twine is passed into the ring'8, and through thepassage in the rod 7, so as to extend beyond the lower end of the rod,for a purpose to be fully explained hereinafter.

The tags are strung upon the rod 7, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and theyare held upon the rod by an abutment post 10, which projects from theboard 5, adjacent to the lower end of, the rod 7 and bears against the110 lowermost tag, near its aperturcd end, as is length prior to theknotting operation. Fig.

clearly shown in Fig. 2.

To facilitate the removal of the tags from fthe rod, 1 provide a blade.11, which is, y

F slot"'- 25 in the sleeve, which slot extends from mounted on a rod 12,which runs parallel with the rod 7 and this rod is securedat its upperend to a bracket 13, bolted to the board 5. The rod 12, passes through ahole in the blade, and the inner end of the blade is formed with a notchor recess 14, forming a book by which the blade engages the rod 7, andthe outer end of the blade is extended beyond the rod 12, to form agrasping portion. A coil expansion spring 15, encircles the rod 1:2, andis confined between the blade and the bracketli-l, thereby exerting apressure upon the blade, which tends tomovc it towardthe lower end ofthe rod 12-.

As many tags are placed upon the rod 7, as it will hold, but it isnecessary that the tags near the lower end of the rod should beSeparated or spread apart, as shown in the drawings, in order that theymay be easily grasped between the thumb and fingers of the right hand inremoving them from the rod, and this spreading of the tags isaccomplished by inserting the blade between the tags near the lower endof the rod 7, so that the lower forty or fifty tags will lie between theblade, and the post 10, and the pressure of the spring 15, against theblade,

will cause'thc blade to compress thoinnerf ends of the tags betweenitself and'the post 10, which will result in spreading the tags at theirouter ends in the. manner shown in the drawings, and as the twine passesthrough and beyond the rod 7, each tag removed from the rod'7, will passonto the twine.

In connection with the tag holder and stringer, I provide a knotter forknotting the loose ends of the twine after a sullicient length has beencut oil to form a loop of the {desired length, aml this knotter isconstructcd in the following manner: Near the center of the table isformed a circular hole 16, through which a short shaft 17 is passed,which extends a suitable distance above and below the table, and asleeve-18 is rigidly scoured upon the shaft, and extends from near itslower-end to the upper end thereof.

Agear wheel 19, is secured upon the lower end of the shaft 17, and thisgear rests upon a plurality. of anti-friction balls, arranged in acircular ball race 20, which is formed on the horizontal member ofhanger 21, which is secured to the under side of the table. -A ball race22, surro mds the shaft, andfits in a recess in the top of the table,

and this race is filled with anti-friction balls, which engage theperiphery of the shaft. A vertical groove 23, is formed on one sideofthe shaft, and extends from the :lpper end thereof, to the bottom ofthe eeve 18, and a slide 24 lies in this groove,

and is held therein by the sleeve 18. The

upper end of the slide 24 extends beyond the upper end of the shaft 17,and the lower eniti of the slide is bent at right angles to the verticalportioh, and extends out through a .prises a clamping plate 27, which isadapted to clamp the ends of the twine between itself and the upper endof the shaft 17 and asemicircular portion 28, which depends from theclamp and partially surrounds the upper end of the shaft. The clamp isnormally held above, and out of contact with the end of. the post, by acoiled expansion spring 2!), which bears against the out-turned end 30,of the slide 24, and upon a lug 31, projecting from theshaft 17. Thisspring encircles a pin 31", which projects from the lug 31, through ahole in the end 30 of the slide. Near the upper end of the shaft 17, orrather, the sleeve surrounding the shaft, is secured a spring clamp 39.,which is simply a short piece of thin spring metal, secured at its lowerend to the sleeve, while its upper end is free, and between this springand the periphery of the sleeve, the loose ends of the tag loop areclamped prior to the operation of forming the knot. In forming a knot,the shaft must be given a partial rotation to wind the end of the tagloop around the lower end of the hood, and the hood must be pressed downto clamp the ends of the tag loop against the upper end of the shaft,and these movements are accomplished in the following manner: Upon theunder side of the table, is secured a bracket 33, having dependingmembers, which are formed with slidcways 34, in which is mounted a slidebar 35, on the forward portionof which is secured a rack bar 36, whichengages and operates the gear wheel I!) on the, end of the shaft 17.than the slide. bar, and the slideways have slots 37, through one side,which permit the rack bar to pass when the slide bar is moved rearward.i

To the rear end of the slide bar-'35, is p ivotally secured one end of ashort arm 38. the other end of which is pivotally attached to'the upperend of a IUtfh arm 3!), the loweu end of 'which is pivotally secured tothe brace bar 3, connecting the table legs. treadle 40, is mounted at.its forward cud upon the rod 4, connecting the table legs,

at the rear end of the rack bar 36, and this I finger is designed tocontact. with and lift the rear end of a lever 44, which IS pivoted tothe under side of the table. The forward 13 The rack bar is of lessWidth a. hooked Win46, which is threaded to a post 47, upon the table,and further rotation of "the shaft, is checked, and the shaft is heldstationary by flexible connection 49, one end of which is wound a fewturns.upon the shaft and secured to the pin 45, while the opposite endof the said connection is cured to a. spring 50, which exerts a constantpull on the connection. which unwinds from the shaft, as the same isturned in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 8, by the rack bar.

- When the shaft is stopped by the engagement of the in 45. with the armto, thc cnd 30 of the slide 24, lies directly beneath the forward end ofthe lever 44,- and as the slide bar 35, continues its rearward movement,the finger 43 engages the lever l-l, which inclines downward from itspivotal point, and terminates in an inwardly curved end. As the rear endof the lever is lifted, the forward end thereof engages the end 30 ofthe slide, and thereby moves the hood Qfifdown upon the upper end of theshaft 17, and as the 'finger engages the curved portion of the lever lle'hood is tightly clamped upon the shaftfifiitil the pressure upon thetreadle is release(l,when the spring 42, lifts the treadle, whereby theparts are restored to their normal position, and'as the lever 44,releases the end 30 of the slide 24, the sprim 29 lifts the slide alidhood out of contact with the end of theshaft. A pin 35 in the end of theslide bar engages the end of the bracket. 33, and limits the rearwardmovement of the slide bar.

In order to knot the loose ends of the tag loop, means must be providedfor automatically thrusting the said loose ends between the end of theshaft and the clamping hood at the instant the shaft ceases to rotate,and before the hood begins to descend, and this operation isaccomplished by the following mechanism:

A metal platform '51, is secured upon thrto of the table, and isprovided with a Cir-f on or aperture 52, through which the upper 35, andresting upon the platform so as to bear against the roller jdi, is acord pusher 58, comprising a flat body portion, having a linger 5S)projecting from its forward cnd, the extremity of which extends towithin a short distance of the shaft, and is provided with asemi-circular notch or groove (30. The finger 5t) normally liesgin aslot til, in the platform, and a screw or bolt 61!, passesthrough theplate 53, and through a lcccss (53, in the lower edge of thc pusher, andits opposite end is headed, and passes through a bracket (Sh-secured tothe platform. The rear edge of the recess (33 inclines from its upperend at an angle of about forty-live dcgrces, and from this terminationof this edge of the recess, the lower edge of the pusher inclines upwardat a slight angle as shown at and terminates in a vertical shoulder (36.A pin (17, passes through the rear .cnd of the pusher, and carries aroller (38 at each end, which rollers are adapted to bear upon theplatform and upon the bifurcated end (3!) of a bracket. '70, which issecured to the platform. The rear cnd of the pusher lics in thcbifurcated end of the bracket 70. and this bracket and the bracket (34hold the pusher in position against the rollers so. An arm 71 ispivotally attached to the pin (57. at onc end, and its opposite end ispivotally connected to a. lever 72. which is pivotally scoured to abracket 73, extending into an opening formed through the tablc. To thelower end of the lever 72. is pivotally attached a trigger 74, having alug or projection 75 on its rear edge, which engages the rear edge ofthe lever, so that when the trigger is pressed in one. direction. thelug acts as a fulcrum, whereby thelevcr is movcd with the trigger,butwhenpushcd in thc opposite direction, the trigger swings on its pivotiiulcpendcntly of thc levcr. 'lhis trig ger lies. in the path of thclinger 43, on thc slide bar 35, and when the said linger cngages thetrigger, on its rcarward movement,

the lever 72 is rocked on its pivot and through the arm 7i, moves thepushc1"forward, and as the inclincd'cdgc. of the recess ()3 of thepusher contacts with and rides upon the pin G2. the forward end of thcpusher and its finger 59 are clevatcd, as shown in dotted lines in Fig.6, and as the pusher moves forward, the notched end of its finger passesin between the upper end of the shaft. 17, and the clamping face 27 ofthe hood 26, carrying the loose ends of the knotter. The two lengths thetag, are then and engages the end of the slide 24, and moves theclamping hood down upon the end of the ,shaft, as previously mentioned.When the trigger escapes the finger 43, the pusher is instantly restoredto ts n rmal position, by a spring arm 76, the forward end of Whichcarries a roller 77. which rests upon the pusher finger- 59, theopposite end of the spring being coiled upon the pi.n G2, and thensecured in any suitable manner to the bracket (34. y

In operation, the tags are strung upon the tubular rod 7, as shown inFigs. 1 and '2, and are held thereon by contact with the post 10, thetwine extending through the rod aml beyond its lowercnd. The end of thetwine is grasped by the left hand, and the lower-most tag lS'lGlDOVGd bythe right hand, and moved to the position shown in Fig. l, the loopedportion of the twine or cord resting upon a bridge 78, which positionsit. at a proper level relatively to the of the loop, at a suitabledistance from passed down between the guide end 57 of the plate 53, andthe hood 26, into the spring clamp 32, and the continuous length of the.loop is severed by a pair of scissors 79, which for convenience arerigidly secured to the platform 51, and are held normally open by aspring 80. The loop is held gently upon the bridge 78, and the treadlc40 is pressed down, and through the medium of rods 41, 39 and arm 38,the slide bar 35 is moved rearward. The rack bar 36 engages and turnsthe gear wheel 19, and the shaft. 17 is thereby given a artial rotation,which causes the free end of the loop to be wound around the lower endof the hood, and the upper end of the shaft, as shown in Figs. S) andIt), and the loose ends of the loop, which are held by the clamp32, passbeneath the main portion of the loop and are held by the said clampdirectly in front of the. notched end of the pusher finger 59. At thispoint in the rotation of the shaft, the rack bar passes out ofengagement with the gear wheel It), and the spring 50, and flexibleconnection 4!), cause the pin 45 toengage the hook 46, which preventsfurther rotation of the shaft. The slide bar linger 4:}, then cngagcsthe trigger 74, whereby the lever 72 is l'ochcd, aml the pusher 58 movedforward, and its linger elevated as before descrilu-d, and-the notchcdend of the linger catches the loose ends oitllhe loop, lifts lhem overthe portion of the loop encircling the. hood. pushes them in between theupper end of thc shaft ti, and the hood clamp 26. The trigger lhcnescapes the slide bar linger l3,

and the pusher is instantly restored to its rotatable member, a clampnormal position by the spring arm .76, andimmediately the eafter thesaid. finger en-- gages the lever 4, which operates the slide 24 asbefore described, and clamps the hood upon the loose end of the loop.The loop is then pulled u with the right hand so as to disengage it romthe spring clamp 32, and the portion encircling the hood slips over thetop of the,same, forming a knot as shownby- Figs. 11 aild 12. Thetreadle is then released and the knotter and operating parts' assumetheir normal ositions, the'knotter being turned to its initial positionby the reengagement of the rock bar, with the gear wheel.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters 'Patent, 1s:

1. In a device as specified, the combination with a table having a tagholder and stringer mounted thereon, of a knotting device adjacent tosaid tag holder and stringer, comprising a shaft mounted insaid table toextend above and below the same; a clamp in sliding engagement with theshaft and adapted to contact with its upper end, and means for normallyholding it out of contact with the top of the shaft said clam beingprovided with :1 depending loop-hol ing member, which partiallysurrounds the upper end of the shaft; a loop clamp on the shaft; meansfor partially rotating the shaft and loop holding member with the loo apusher for placing the loose ends of the lbop bet ween the slide clampand shaft,andmeans for operating the pusher and for depressing the clampat predetermined periods.

2. In adevice as specified, the combination with a table having a tagholder and stringer mounted thereon, of a knotting device arranged uponthe table comprising ain sliding ongagement with the rotatable member,and resilient means for normally holding said clamp away from saidchamber; a gear wheel on said member; a. rack bar in engagement. withthe gear for operating the rack; a pusher adjacent to, the rotatablemember to be moved toextend in between the clamp and the rotatablemember; a loop holder on the rotatable member; and means connected withthe rack bar for operating the pusher, and for depressing the clamp uponthe rotatable member at predelermined periods.

the combiilaa vertical shaft mounted lhcrcin. having a gear wheel on itslower end: a rack bar in mesh with the wheel; a vertical slide on theshaft havinglmstep on 3.11] a device as specified. lion \\'llll a. tableof wheel, and means its lower end: ,a clamp upon the upper end of theslide. having a depending loop re reivcr which partially encircles theupper eml of the shaft:

a loop holder on the shaft a level", one end of which lies adjacent tothefsl iaft; a finger on the rack bar in the path, of the lever, andmeans for operating the rack bar whereby the shaft is partially rotated,and the slide step brought beneath the forward end of the lever, and thelever operated by contact therewith of the finger todepress the slideand bring the clamp in contact withthe end of the shaft.

whln a device as specified, the combination with a rotatable member,having aloop holder, and a hood in sliding engagement therewith, havinga clamping face adapted to contact with .the said member, but normallyout, of engagement therewith; of means for partially rotating therotatable member and hood to wind a loop about the end of said memberand hood; means for automatically pushing the loose ends of theloopbetween the clamp and rotatable member; and means for depressing theclamp to hold the loose ends of 'the loop while the same is slipped overthe top of the hood.

v.3. In a device as specified, the combination with a rotatablememberhaving a loop holderand hood in sliding engagement therewith, having aclamping face adapted to engage the end of the rotatable member, but.normally out of engagement therewith; and means for partially rotatingthe member and hood, to wind the loop around the said member and hood;of means comprising an automatically operated finger for pushing theloose ends of the loop between the rotatable member and clamping face ofthe hood, after the said member'and hood have been partially rotated,and an automatically operated-lever for depressing the about its upperend and the hood; a finger for pushing the loose ends of the loopbetween the hood and end of the shaft, after they have been partiallyrotated; a lever de pending from the finger; a projection on the rack toengage the lever and-operate the finger; a lever in the path of'the saidprojection and operated thereby, for depressing "the" hood to clamp theloose ends of the loop when the same is slipped over the top of the'aood; and means for operating the rack.

7. ln a device as specified, a shaft having a loop holder near its,upper end;-a clamp in sliding engagementwith the shaft, and having adepending member partially surrounding the upper portion of the shaft,and means for normally holding the clamp above the end of the shaft;means for partially rotating the shaftto wind the loop about its upperportion, and the depending portion of the clamp; a finger for pushingthe loose ends of the loop between the clamp and end of the shaft, afterthe said shaft has been partially rotated; means actuated by the shaftoperating means, for operating the finger, and a lever actuated by theshaft operating means for depressin the clamp to eugagethe loose ends ofthe loop.

8. In a device as specified, the combination with a support, of a shaftmounted therein; a loop holder adjacent to the upper end of the shaft; aclamp in sliding engagement with the shaft, having :1 depending portionpartially surrounding the upper end of the shaft; a spring for normallyholding the clamp away from the upper end of the shaft; a gear wheel onthe shaft; a rack in engagement with the gear wheel for partiallyrotating-the shaft to wind the loop about its upper end and thedepending portion of the clamp; means for stopping the shaft; a fingerfor pushing the loose ends of the 100 between the clamp and the end ofthe shaft whenethe same has been partially rotated; a'projection on therack; a lever pivoted to the support and to the finger, and extendinginto the ath of the projection to be operated there y; a lever pivotedto the support and extending into the path of the pro ection, wherebysaid lever is op erated to depress the clamp upon the loose ends of theloop; and meansfor operating the rack.

9. In a device as specified, a support; a shaft mounted in the support,havin a loop holder adjacent to its upper end; a. c amp in slidingengagement with the shaft, having adepending portion partiallysurrounding the upper portion of theshaft on a plane with the loopholder; a spring for normally hold-. ing the clamp away from the end ofthe shaft; a gear wheel on the shaft; a rack in engagement with the gearwheel, having a projecting finger, said rack being adapted to partiallyrotate the shaft-to wind the loop about its upper end and the dependingportion of the clamp; means for stopping the shaft; a' linger forlifting the loose ends of the, loop and pushing them between the clampand the end of the shaft; an anti-friction support forthe finger; alever pivoted to the support and to the finger, and extended to lie inthe path of the rack finger, whereby the said pushing finger isoperated; means for restoring the pushing finger to its normal position;a lever pivoted to the support with its forward end adjacent to theshaft, and its rear' end in position to be engaged by the rack finger,whereby the said lever is operated to depress the clamp upon the looseends of the loop; and means for operating the rack.

10. In a device as specified, asupport, a

shaft rotatably mounted in the support, having a loop holder adjacent toits upper end;

a clamp in" sliding engagement with the shaft 'having a depending memberwhich partially surrounds the u per portion of the ,shaft on a lane withthedoop holder; a step on the sli e portion of the clamp and a spring inen agement with the step, for normally holding the clamp out ofengagement with the upper end of the shaft; a gear wheel on the shaft; arack in engagementwith the gear wheel for partially rotating the shaftto wind the loop about its upper end, and the depending portion of theclamp; a projecting'arm on the rack; a lever pivoted to the support withits lower end in the path of the rack arm; a finger pivotally attachedto the other end of the lever, and adapted to push the loose ends of theloop between the clamp and adjacent end of the shaft, when the lever isengaged by the rack arm; a stop for limitingthe rotation of the shaft;resilient means holding the shaft stationary after its partial rotation;a lever pivoted to the support, its forward end being above the saidstep, and its rear portion in the path of the rack arm, whereby thelever is rocked to engage the step and depress the clamp upon the looseends of the loop; and

means for operating the rack.

11. In a device as specified, the combination with a support; a shaftrotatably mounted-in the support; a loop holder on the shaft near itsupper end; a clamp in sliding engagement with the shaft, having asemi-circular depending portion partially surrounding the said upper end0f the same, and a gear wheel on the shaft; of a rack in engagement withthe gear wheel, for par tially rotating the shaft to wind the loop aboutits upper end, and the depending portion ofthe clamp; a projecting armon the ,raek; aplate having anti-friction rollers; a finger inengagement with said rollers; a lever pivotally connected to the rearend of the finger and to the support and extended to liein'the path ofthe rack arm, whereby said finger is thrown forward to push the looseends of the loop between the clamp and the adjacent end of the shaft; astep 'on the slide portion of the clamp; a spring in engagement with thestep, for normally holding the clamp out of engagement with the meansfor rotating the same; a clamp in end of the shaft; a lever pivoted tothe sup-- sliding engagement with the rotatable member, having adepending member partially surrounding the adjacent end of the saidmember; a loop holder on the said member, on a plane with the dependingortion of the clamp; a spring for normal y holdin the clamp away fromthe end of thesai member; means for partially rotating the said memberto wind the loop about it and- ,the depending. portion of the clam astop for limiting the rotation of the sai member and clamp; resilientmeans for holding the said member at the limit of its rotation; a fingeractuated by the rotatin means, for pushing the loose ends of the oopbetween the clamp and rotatable member; and a. le-- ver actuated by therotating means, for engaging the clamp and depressing it upon the looseends of the loop.

13. In a device as specified, the combination with a support having atag holder and stringer secured thereon, comprlsing a tubular rod,through which the twine is passed, and upon which thetags are strung; anabutment post adjacent to the end of the rod and a spring pressed bladefor compressing the eyed ends of a portion of the tags against the saidpost; of a knotting meehalr ism for the tag loops, comprising a shaftmounted in thesupport adjacent to the said tag holder and stringer,having -a loop holder thereon; a clamp in sliding engagement with theshaft, having a. depending portion partially surrounding the adjacentend of the shaft: means for partially rotat' ing the shaft to wind theloop about the shaft and the depending portion of the clamp; means forpushing the loose ends of' iho loop between the clamp and end of'theshaft: and means for depressing the clamp 1 upon the loose ends oftheloop.

H. In a device as specified. the combination with a snpporthaving a tagholder and stringer sec ured thereon, comprising an inclined platformsecured upon the support; a bracket thereon; a tubular rod 'removably.attached to thebraeket, through which the twine is passed, and updnwhich the tags are i strung; an abutment adjacent to the lower l(ll(l ofthe rod; a rod supported parallel l with the tubular rod; a blademounted on the last mentioned rod, having a recess for engaging thetubular rod, and a spring on the rod which presses the blade against aportiouof the. tags to compress their eyed ends against thosaidabut-ment; of aknotting mechanism comprising a rotatable member mountedin the support, having a I loop holder, a clamp, and a spring fornormember;

the loop between the rotatable member and the clamp; and anautonuttically operated lever for depressing the clamp upon the looseends of the loop.

15. In a device as specified, the combination with a support, a. shaftmounted therein a loop holder on the shaft; a clamp in slidingengagement with the shaft, having a depending portion partiallysurrounding the shaft; means for partially rotating the shaft to windthe loop-about its upper end, and the depending portion of the clamp; astop to limit the rotation of the. shaft and means to depress the clampupon the end of the shaft at a predetermined time; of means for pushingthe loose ends of the loop between the end of the shaft and the clampprior to the depression of the latter, including a member having anotched finger, and a recess in its lower edge, one wall of whichinclines; a bracket having rollers against which said member is held insliding engagement; a. pin supported in the bracket, which extendsthrough the recess in the member; a lever pivotally attached to themeans for rocking said lever whereby the member is thrown forward andits finger lifted by engagement of the inclined wall of the recess withthepin: and a spring for restoring the melnber to its normal position.

16. In a device as specified, the combination in a knotting mechanism;including a rotatable member, having a loop holder, and a clamp; meansfor partially rotating the mcmbc' and clamp and means for depressing theclamp upon the member at a predetcrminedtime; of a device for pushingthe loost ends of the loop between the member and clamp. comprising afinger projecting from a body portion. said body portion having a recessin its lower edge. with an in clined face; a bracket: :1 pin extendingfrom the bracket through the recess having the inclined face;anti-friction means arried by the bracket with which the body portioncontacts; a plate having a bifurcated end, which straddles the rear endof the body portion; a pin extending through the said rear end, having aroller on each end in engagement with the bifurcated end of the plate; alever pivotally attached to the pin and to the support; and means forrocking the lever, whereby the body with its fin -er is moved forward,and the finger ele- .rvated by contact of the inclined recess with thepin passing through the same; and a spring for restoring the member toits normal position.

17. In a device as specified, the combination with a support and a shaftrotatably mounted therein, having a groove in one side; of a slide insaid groove having an out-turned step at its lower end and means, as asleeve, for holding the slide within the groove; a clamp upon the upperend of the slide, having a depending portion which partially surroundsthe upper portion of the shaft; a lug on the shaft; a pin extending fromthe lug through a hole in the step, and an expansion coil spring on thepin which, normally holds the clamp away from the end of the shaft; aloop holder on the shaft near its upper end; means for partiallyrotating the shaft to wind a loop about the depending portion of theclamp and the upper portion of the shaft; means for automaticallypushing the loose ends of the loop between the clamp and the end of theshaft; and means for engaging the said step to de: press the clamp uponthe said loose ends.

18. In a device as specified, the combination with a table, of a bracketupon its under side having an anti-friction bearing; a shaft extendingthrough the table; a gear wheel on the end of the shaft, which restsupon the anti-friction bearing; an antifriction bearing in the tablesurrounding the periphery of the shaft; a loop holder. on the shaft; aclamp in sliding engagement with theshaft, having a depending portion: arack in engagement with the gear wheel for partially rotating the shaftto wind a loop about the upper end of the shaft, and the dependingportion of the clamp; a pin on the. rack: a finger for pushing the looseends of the loop between the end of the shaft, and the clamp; a leverconnected with the finger, and operated by the pin, for moving thefinger forward; a lever, one end of which lies in the path of the pin,while the other end is adapted to contact with and depress the clamp,when the pin engages the said lever; ,hnd means for operating the rack.I

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. WILLIAM A. nwYwooi).

Witnesses (ir. Simonx'r Emao'r'r Ammnx M. l owlil-z.

